Scale totalizer



H. BOURASSA SCALE TOTALIZER Jan. 27, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan.23, 1952 m m m m f/ua'usa Bot/R4864 Jan. 27, 1959 H. BOURASSA SCALETOTALIZER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1952 INVENTOR.

#06056 Soc/RAMA 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

Huousa Bau/rA-ssA BY %fiatafiflm,

ATTORNEYS Jan. 27, 1959 H. BOURASSA SCALE TOTALIZER 6 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Jan. 25, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

BY. @ZM 4 0 ATTORNEYJ Jan. 27, 1959 Filed Jan. 25, 1952 H. BOURASSASCALE TOTALIZER EEUIEEEEEEEED 3 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

flaw/as BdI/RAJSA H. BOU RASSA SCALE TOTALIZER Jan. 27, 1959 Filed Jan.23, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent SCALE TOTALIZER Hugues Bourassa, Cleveland, Ohio,assignor to The Atlas Bolt & Screw Company, Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio This invention relates to improvements in a materialhandling system and more particularly to scale totalizers with means forindividually totalizing the weights of successive charges of materialsdelivered to a container or hopper of either the stationary or movabletype.

While this invention is adaptable for a variety of purposes, it isespecially desgned for use in charging a blast furnace. As is well knownto those skilled in the iron making arts, predetermined charges of rawmaterials such as coke, limestone, iron ore, etc., are conveyed from areceiving zone to the skip hoist of the furnace, which elevates it to ahopper at the furnace top. The molten iron is tapped off near the bottomof the furnace. The process is a continuous one, over relativelyextended periods, and as the charged material settles to the moltenzone, fresh charges are periodically added. It is necessary that theamounts of the several ingredients be carefully predetermined in thelight of various operating factors, and the weight and character of eachcharge should therefore be controlled and recorded, preferably in such amanner as to eliminate the human error of the unskilled operator.

The need has arisen for an automatic means which indicates and recordsthe weight of each ingredient comprising a total charge, and inaddition, is capable of automatically segregating and totalizing theamount of each single ingredient added during a working period whichcomprises a plurality of successive charges, such as for example thetotal amount of iron ore, and/or coke, and/or limestone added to acontinuously operated blast furnace within a 24-hour operating period.An object of the present invention is to satisfy this need by providingnovel and improved scale means which identifies and individually recordsthe weight of each ingredient added to a charge, and which totalizes theweight of each individual ingredient over a succession of charges in acontinuous time period.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a materialhandling system having a plurality of containers wherein each suppliesone of the batch components into a hopper having a weighing scale forthe batch of the type described, means for individually totalizing theweight of each component supplied to said hopper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a materialhandling system having a totalizing means as set forth above, whereinsaid totalizing means includes a follower member movable in the samepath as the indicator on said scale to control the totalizing operationwhile not creating a drag on said indicator which might cause anerroneous scale reading.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a materialhandling system having a plurality of spaced containers wherein eachsupplies one of the batch components into a movable hopper having aweighing scale for the batch of the type described, means for totalizingthe weight of each component supplied to the hopper and means forpreventing the movable hopper from moving unless a totalizer indicatesthe exact weight of the component supplied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a materialhandling system having a plurality of containers wherein each suppliesone of the batch components into a hopper having a weighing scale forthe batch of the type described, a plurality of totalizers, one for eachcontainer, and selectable means for making each totalizer record theweight supplied by its respective container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide automatic controlmechanism for a material handling system of the type described adaptedfor use on a moving container or hopper, such as a dump car, in whichthe scale mechanism parts operate as usual while the totalizing partsare controlled to differentiate between component materials butnevertheless may be associated with the car operating mechanism to workin harmony therewith.

Other features of this invention reside in the arrangement and design ofthe parts for carrying out their appropriate function. Other objects andadvantages of this invention will be apparent from the accompanyingdrawings and description and the essential features will be set forth inthe appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a movable scale car in the materialhandling system;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view taken from the left side of Fig. 1 withthe cover plate removed from the scale totalizer mechanism shown at theupper left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 33 ofFig. 2 with the follower member and scale indicator in registration atthe 0 position;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the follower member and micro switchtaken-along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4A is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 4A4Aof Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom view of the electric motor and drive unittaken along the line 55 of Fig. 2 and having a portion of the clutchbroken away;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the pawl and ratchet wheel brakemechanism taken along the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the solenoids for operating thetotalizing counters taken along the line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the counters and thesolenoid operative clutches therefor taken along the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 throughthe counter or totalizer mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the scale totalizer.

While the invention is capable of use on either sta tionary or movableweighing containers or hoppers, as previously stated, for purposes ofillustration and in no sense of limitation it has been shown applied toa dumping type scale car such as is used in conveying raw materials tothe skip hoist of a blast furnace. The indicating, recording andtotalizing devices are carried on the car which is also provided withelectromotive driving means under the control of an operator who ridesthe car. The conventional scale car, generally shown at 10 in Fig. 1,has wheels 11 for carrying it along a track by the motive power providedby an overhead wire or wires 12 supplying electricity to the scale carthrough trolley or trolleys 13. The car shuttles on the track between aplurality of loading stations and a dumping or delivery station. Aplurality of spaced apart dispensing containers or storage bins occupythe respective loading stations. Each dispensing container is adapted'to dispense any desired weight of material into the hopper when thescale car is located at the station corresponding to the cdntainer. Thescale car receives loads of ingredients at the respective successiveloading stations. As will appear, the increments of :increasing carloadare automatically recorded and to the car hopper 14 through a weightresponsive lever system for indicating the total weight of the hopperand its contents. The hopper 14 has bottom gates or other type dumpingor discharge means. The lever system 18 is connected to a verticallymovable rack 19, as .seen in Fig. 3, which in turn rotates a pinion 21.The lever system 18 pulls the rack 19 downwardly as the weight in thehopper 14 increases and the rack 19 acts against "the tension spring 20.This tension spring 20, attached at its upper end to the scale housing25, is properly calibrated so that the pinion 21 rotates the scaleindicator hand'through the shaft 22. Shaft 22 is rotatably mounted inthe scale housing 25 and has fixed thereon the pinion 21 and theindicator hand 23. Although the scale indicator is shown as an indicatorhand 23, it should be understood that the scale indicator may take otherforms, if desired. In this disclosure, the indicator hand 23 points toany one of a sequence of numbers on the scale face 24. The indicia onthis stationary scale face are the same as found on any conventionalscale having a suitable weight range.

A recording means may be used with the scale totalizer disclosed herein,if desired. The U. S. Patent No. 1,909,724, entitled Recording Means forMaterial Handling Systems, granted to E. W. Schellentrager, discloses arecording means adapted to be combined with the structure disclosed inthis application. In Fig. 3 of the present application a printing ormounting wheel 26 is attached to and driven by the shaft 22. This wheelhas a series of type figures on its periphery corresponding to the rangeof weights to be handled and to the indicia found on the scale face 24.This printing wheel corresponds to the printing or type wheel 12 in theaforementioned patent. The coupled Selsyns and the other appurtenantstructure in the patent could very readily be added to the presentdisclosure so that a printed strip having the weight of each materialsupplied to the hopper and a printed indication -of the material couldbe obtained.

The structure has been described for indicating the total weight of thecharge and recording the individual weight of each ingredient comprisinga total charge or hopper load. In addition, the scaletotalizer iscapable of automatically segregating and totalizing the amount of eachsingle ingredient added during a working period which comprises aplurality of successive charges or hopper loads. Each material,ingredient or supply container has a corresponding weight totalizer orcounter, as shown at 28, 28a, 28b, etc., in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Theprincipal part of the present disclosure primarily concerns theselectable engaging means for operatively connecting the scale indicator23 and one of the counters 28, 28a or 28]) corresponding to the materialbeing loaded into the hopper 14 whereby the weight of material dispensedinto the hopper 14 from the container corresponding to the selectedcounter moves the scale indicator 23 and the selected totalizing countera distance corresponding to the weight dispensed by the correspondingcontainer into the hopper 14 of the scale car.

= Most of the mechanism is-enclosed in a housing at-' hf. tached to therear of scale housing 25, as seen in Fig. 3. The rear of the scalehousing has bosses 25a, three in number, welded or otherwise secured toits outer surface. These bosses surround the printing wheel 26 which iscarried by shaft 22 extending rearwardly through a hole in the rear faceof the scale housing 25. A three-armed web 29 is secured to the rearsurface of bosses 25a by screws. An internaL'bell-shaped hous ing member30 is secured to the web 29, as seen in Fig. 3, and the internal sleevehousing member 31 is in turn se'enred to the bell housing member 30,'the re spective parts again being secured together by screws.Surrounding-the web 29' and housing members 30 and 31 is a peripheralplate 34 welded or otherwise secured to edge angle members 32 and 33.Angle member 32 is screwed onto the rear face of the scale housing 25while an end plate 35 is bolted onto the other angle member 33. Counters28, 28a, etc., are supported-on flow of material when the properweighthas been dis pensed. The scale indicator 23 has moved an angular amountcorresponding to the increase in the hopper weight. Then, the scale 'caroperator energizes the motor 4t) (Fig. 5) which in turn rotates-thefollower'member 72,Figs. 3 and 4, clockwise an angular distance equal tothe. movement of the scale indicator 23 and also drives the counter '23,28a, etc., of "Fig. Z-corresponding to the material dispensed into thehopper. The counter is driven" or rotated an angular amount directlyproportional to the angular movement of the follower member 72 sothatthe increase in weight of'thehopper is accurately recorded on the propertotalizer or "counter.

The drive between them'otor'tl'and the follower member 72 will be firstdescribed. The motor 40 is not a continuously running motor but isintermittently driven andis energized only when driving the followermember '72 and the proper counter or totalizer. The motor control'wiilbe described later inthe specification. Screws 41'are'provided to securethe motor 40 to the web 29, as seen in Fig. 5. The motor shaft 42 ofmotor40 drives a shaft 43 through a clutch to be described later in thespecification. The shaft 43 is rotatably'supported on a bracketintegrally formed on 'the bell-shaped housing member 30. Bearings 44 and'45 are provided for the shaft 43 in the bracket. A spur gear 46 issecured 'on shaft 43 by a set screw 46a and drives another spur gear 47secured by a-set screw 47a to a shaft 48, which latter shaft is alsorotatably mounted in the bell-shaped hens ing member 30. A worm '49, in3, is'secured to shaft 43 by key 50. Shaft '48 is rotatably supported bytwo bearings 51 and 52 in the bell housing 3ft, and a cap plate 53 issecured to one end of the housing to support the shaft 48and to permitthe assembly and disassembly of the worm and bearings. Worm 49 mesheswith a worm wheel 56 of Fig. 3. This worm wheel 56 is se cured byWoodruff key 57 and a set screw 6% to a female cone member 61. This.female cone clutch member '61 is rotatably supported inthe 'web29 andthe bell housing member 30 by hearing members'58 and 59. A male coneclutch member 63 coacts with the female'clutching surface on the leftend of the female cone'clutch' member 61. A means is provided to keepthe cone clutch members normally in engagement. A threaded stud 64- isscrewed into the male cone clutch member 63 and is rotatably supportedwithin thefernale cone clutch membe y ari a 6 T e right a d 6f the stud64 has a telescoping end thrust sleeve69 slidably supported in a coaxialbore in the sleeve housing member 31. A spring 68 forces against thebearing 66 and urges v the end thrust sleeve 69 toward the right intoengagement with the locklng nuts 70 on the right end of the stud 64 sothat the cone clutch members 61 and 63 are normally held in drivingengagement. The follower member 72 is drivingly connected to the malecone clutch member 63. This driving or operative connection between themembers 63 and 72 will be described in more detail later in thespecification. The clutch member 63 rotates about an axis coaxial withthe scale shaft 22 so that the follower member 72 moves in the same pathas the scale indicator hand 23. They are adapted to register with eachother in the zero weight position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or in anyother scale weight position. A counter weight 73 is provided on thefollower member 72 so that the member will be perfectly balanced andwill turn freely and easily.

As motor 40 drives the follower member 72, it also drives the propercounter 28, 28a or 28b of Fig. 8 through the shaft 43 (Figs. 5 and 8).Shaft 43 in Fig. 8 is secured to shaft 81 by means of the coupling 77. Aset screw 78 secures the coupling 77 to the shaft 43 and a locknut 79firmly holds the set screw 78 in position. A tapered pin 80 is driventhrough aligned holes in the coupling 77 and shaft 81 to form the otherconnection. A bearing 82 in the adapter member 37 rotatably supports theshaft 81. A bevel gear 83 is secured to the left end of shaft 81 by apin 84. Spacers 85 properly locate the bevel gear 83 with respect to abevel gear 87 secured to a drive shaft or motion transmitting means 86by means of a tapered pin 88. A hearing 89 is provided at each end ofthe drive shaft 86 to support the shaft in the adapter member 37.

A clutching arrangement is provided between each counter and the driveshaft or motion transmitting means 86. Since the clutching mechanism issimilar for each counter, only that for counter 28 will be described. Aspring housing and shaft support 90 is firmly secured to the adaptermember 37 by screws. The shaft 86 is rotatably supported in the support90 by the bearing 91.

A male cone clutch member 92, secured to drive shaft 86 by tapered pin93, will be drivingly engaged with the female cone clutch member 94 whenthe coil spring 95 urges the clutch member 94 downwardly into drivingengagement. A thrust washer 96 is provided between the bevel gear 97 andthe female cone clutch member 94 and is designed to take the end thrustexerted by the spring 95. Clutch member 94 and the bevel gear 97 arekeyed together to permit limited axial relative movement while theyrotate as a unit and are rotatably supported on the drive shaft 86 bythe bearing 98. Spacers 99, 100 and 101 are provided to properly locatethe bevel gears and the clutch members. A bevel gear 102 is secured tothe shaft 103 of the counter or weight totalizer 28. Hence, the motordrives the counter 28 through the shaft 43 and the coacting gear trainand clutch.

A clutch actuator is also provided. Clutch members 92 and 94 in Fig. 8are normally disengaged since spring 108 in the spring housing 90 isstronger than the spring 95 and rotates the bell crank 107 in aclockwise direction about its pivotal mounting on adapter member 37 sothat the yoke arm 107a of Fig. 9 normally disengages the cone clutchmembers 92 and 94. When solenoid 105 is energized, its armature 106moves to the left in Fig. 8, overcomes spring 108, and rotates bellcrank 107 in a counterclockwise direction so that spring 95 will causethe cone clutch members 92 and 94 to be moved into driving engagement.The normal position of the parts with the solenoid deenergized is shownin Fig. 8.

A micro switch 110 (Figs. 3 and 4) on the follower member 72 controlsthe motor 40 in Fig. 5 by energizing or deenergizing it. The motor 40 isenergized only when 6 the follower member 72 is out of registration withthe scale indicator 23. Then, the micro switch tripper 111 on the typewheel 26 does not engage the micro switch 110. The tripper 111 comprisesa bracket 111a bolted to the type wheel 26 and the tripping screw 111bthreaded clockwise until it is again in registration with the scaleindicator 23 so that the tripper 111 closes the contacts in micro switchand stops the motor 40.

The closing of the micro switch to deenergize and stop the motor alsoenergizes a brake for stopping the movement of the counter. This brakeprevents over-travel of the counter driving mechanism. Figs. 2, 5 and 6disclose a ratchet wheel 112 secured to the shaft 43 by a tapered pin113 in the ratchet wheel hub. A coacting braking pawl 114 engages theratchet wheel 112 to stop the counter drive mechanism when solenoid 120is energized by the closing of the micro switch 110. A sleeve bearing115 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 43 and has an arm 116 engaging itsouter surface with a press fit. A shoulder 115a on the sleeve bearing115 separates the arm 116 from the ratchet wheel 112. A pawl holdingblock 117 is secured to the arm 116 and has a slotted upper arm portion117a to receive the pawl 114. Screw 118 secures the pawl holding block117 to the arm 116 and also pivotally mounts the pawl 114 in the pawlholding block 117. A second screw 119 is provided to secure the blockand arm together. The solenoid 120, secured to the arm 117a, forces thepawl 114 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 112 when it isenergized. A spring 122 in block 117 presses a pin 121 against the lowerend of pawl 114 to normally keep the pawl disengaged from the ratchetwheel by forcing the pawl in a clockwise direction. An adjusting screwand locknut are provided at 123 to adjust the tension of spring 122 andto lock the parts in this relationship.

Means is provided to absorb the shock of braking or suddenly stoppingthe rotating parts. A lug 116a is integrally formed on the distal end ofthe arm 116. A corresponding lug is formed at 30a on bell housing'30 inFig. 6. A bolt and nut 126 passes through aligned holes in the lugs andsecures a compression spring 125 between the lugs. When pawl 114 engagesthe ratchet wheel 112 in braking, arm 116 tends to rotate clockwise andto compress the spring 125. This spring absorbs the inertia of themoving parts and then moves the arm 116 counterclockwise until the boltand nut 126 firmly engages against the top of lug 116a and the bottom oflug 30a to serve as a positive stop. The counter drive will always stopat substantially the same point after the solenoid is energized becausearm 116 is always returned against this positive stop by spring 125.

Means is also provided for varying the angle of contact between the pawl114 and the ratchet wheel 112 so that braking will be efficientlyperformed. The block 117 may be firmly secured on arm 116 at any one ofa plurality of angles within a limited range. The hole in block 117surrounding screw 119 has a bore substantially larger than the outsidediameter of the screw so that the block 117 may pivot to some extentaround the other screw 118. A washer is provided underneath the head ofscrew 119 so that the screw 119 may be tightened to firmly secure theblock 117 to the arm 116 regardless of their relative position. Lockingscrews 124 and 124a engage the lower surface of the block 117 to secureit in place. The lug 1161) projects laterally outwardly from the lowersurface of arm 116 and is welded or otherwise member 63 and the sleeve134.

secured thereto. Screw 124 is threaded in a hole in the lug and engagesagainst the lower surface of the block 117 while screw 124a slidablyfits in ahole in lug 1161) and is threaded into the block 117 topull theblock 117 downwardly toward the lug 116b. If a greater adjustment isdesired, an arcuate slot may be'provided in the block 117 for thereception of screw 119-with the center of the arc coinciding with theaxis of screw 118.

Means is also provided to move the follower member 72 back to theno-load or zero position while the charge is being dumped from thehopper 14. Some of this means is shown in Fig. 3. The solenoid 127 isattached by screws to the right end of the sleeve housing 31 and has anarmature extending into the housing and bearing against a cup member123. When the solenoid 127 is energized, the cup member'128, mounted foraxial movement in the housing 31, moves to the left and forces theendthrust sleeve 69 to the left to overcome the force of spring 68.Then, cone clutch members 61 and 63 are no longer biased into drivingengagement by the spring 68, and the spiral spring 129, attached at oneend to the web 29 and at the other to the male cone 63, is free torotate the follower member 72 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4)until the follower member engages the stop pin 130 secure in the web 29.When the follower member 72 reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, itwill be in registration with the scale indicator 23 when the latterpoints to the zero scale reading, and tripper 111 will engage the microswitch 110 to close the contacts.

Means is provided to prevent damage to the cone clutch member '63,follower member 72 and the stop pin 130 which might be causedby theinertia of the rotating parts, the force of spiral spring 129, and thesudden stopping of the rotation by the stop pin 131). It should be notedthat, as disclosed in Fig. 4, the follower member or arm 72 has beenhollowed out to some degree so as to reduce the weight and inertia ofthe arm 72 while still maintaining its resistance to bending anddeflection. The driving connection between the male cone clutch member63 and the follower member or arm 72 includes a helical torsional spring131 (Fig. 3) secured at one end to the follower member 72 and at theother end to a cap 132, which cap in turn is secured by screws to thecone member 63. The sleeve 134 is welded or otherwise secured to thefollower member 72 andsurrounds in coaxial relationship the clutchmember 63 and is mounted for rotation relative thereto. In Figs. 4 and4A, a key 133 is provided on the periphery of the male cone member 63and engages in an enlarged key way 134a in the bore of sleeve 134. Thisenlarged keyway 134a is larger in the circumferential direction than thekey 133 so that only limited relative rotatable movement may take placebetween the male cone clutch When the motor 40 of Fig. 5 is driving thefollower member 72 of Fig. 4 clockwise and is driving the totalizer ofFig. 8, the key 133 and the keyway 134a are in the position shown inFigs. 4 and 4A so that there is a substantially fixed connection betweenthe male cone clutch member 63 and the follower member 72. When thespiral spring 129 is rotating the follower member 72 in acounterclockwise direction to return it to the zero position shown inFig. 4 and when the follower member engages the stop pin 1311, the key133 will move counterclockwise in the keyway 134a to permit a limitedovertravel of the male cone clutch member 63 and a limited loading ofthe helical torsional spring 131. Since the effective force of spring131 tending to move clutch member 63 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 4Ais greater than the effective force of spring 129 tending to move clutchmember 63 in the counterclockwise direction when follower member 72 issubstantially at the zero position (Fig. 4), spring 131 willmove'the'parts to their equilibrium position (Figs.

4and.4A) ;=so-that-followermember 72 remains in the zero positionagainststop pinand :key 133 in keyway -134a is in, position to drive followermember 72 by motor 40 when the next material is fed to the hopper 14 andtotalized.

The Fig. 4A construction and spring 131 also serve as means to absor-bthe shock of braking or suddenly stopping rotating follower member. 72by energizing brake solenoid 120. The inertia of arm 72 may causeovertravel by rotating clockwise after braking, and spring 131 willreturn it to the normal driving position in Fig. 4A.

7 In Fig. 5, a slip clutchis provided between the motor 40 and theratchet wheel 112 of the brake so that the brake need not instantly stopthe high inertia motor parts while it is instantly stopping thetotalizer or counter drive. A male cone 1 35is secured to the motordrive shaft by a set screw 135a. A female cone member 136 is keyed tothe shaft 43 .by key 137 so that the cone member136 may movelongitudinally with respect to the shaft 43 but will rotate therewith. Aspring 139 forces the female cone member 136 in driving engagement with'the malecone member 135. This spring engages against the left side of acollar 138 loosely mounted on the shaft 43 and pressing against the leftside of the bearing 44. Spring 139 is designed so that the force exertedby-it will permit slippage between the cone clutch members 135 and 136when the pawl 114 is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel 112.It should be apparent that any slight slippage that might occur when themotor "40 is driving the follower member 72 and the selected counterwill not interfere with the accuracy of the scale totalizer since thestopping of motor 40 and the engagementof brake (pawl 114) arecontrolled by the micro switch 110 of the follower member 72.

The electrical diagram of the scale totalizer is disclosed in Fig. 10 ofthe drawings. This diagram has a power circuit shown in heavy lines atthe top of Fig. 10, for moving the scale car between spaced loading anddumping stations and has a control circuit shown in the remainder ofFig. 10.

The power circuit is eifective or energized when the line relay'ordo'uble pole line contactor 140 is energized by the control circuit.Then, the electric circuit is completed from the lowermost of the twooverhead wires 12 through the trolley 13, contact 1413b, line 144, drumcontroller 142, line 141, contact 146a, the upper trolley 13, and theuppermost power line 12. The drum controller 142 controls theelectricity supplied to the field and armature of the car traction motor143 through this same circuit.

The control circuit is energized from the trolleys 13. 13 when the main,double throw, control switch 145 is closed. Since this switch 145 isclosed in normal operation, the control circuits hereafter describedwill be traced from the lower side of this switch.

The operation of individually totalizing the weight of each type ofmaterial dispensed from the spaced containers into the hopper 14 of themovable scale car will he first described. Assumed the scale car hopper14 empty and the follower member or arm 72 in registration with thescale indicator hand 23 reading zero weight, then the micro switch 110on the follower member 72, shown at the upper left in Fig. 10, has itscontacts in closed position. Also, the micro switch relay 146, at thebot tom of Fig. 10, is energized. An electrical control circuit existsfrom maincontrol switch 145 through line 147, line 148, line 149, line150, closed contacts of micro switch 110 (micro switch 11% is normallyopen but is now closed by the tripper 111 since the follower member 72and the scale indicator hand 23 are in registration), line 151, microswitch relay 146, line 152, line 153, line 154,'line 155,line 156, andline 157.

A manuab's elector means or selector switch 158 is provided at the lowerleft in Fig. .10 and has a plurality of stations, one for each totalizerand loading station (one corresponding to each of the materials makingup the charge delivered to the blast furnace). A station is alsoprovided for dumping and emptying the hopper and another is provided forreset (the latter to be described in more detail later in thespecification). This selector switch 158 identifies the proper materialto be weighed and at the same time energizes the proper solenoid tooperate the proper counter, for example, solenoid 105 and counter 28 inFig. 8. The selector switch has a movable arm 159 pivotally located atthe center of the switch and movable between any of thecircumferentially spaced stations on the selector switch 158, some ofthe stations having pairs of contacts, for example, 160 and 161 whileone of these stations (the reset station) has only one contact 160rengageable with the movable arm 159. When the selector switch arm 159 isat the first station and engaging contacts 160 and 161, it is pointingto the selector station for the first material, for example, coke, theoperator wishes to put into the hopper 14. This energizes the cokesolenoid 105 in Fig. 8 and clutches the coke counter 28 to the driveshaft 86. An electrical circuit exists from the main control switch 145through the line 147, line 148, line 149, line 162, selector switch arm159, contact 160, line 163, solenoid 105, line 164, line 155, line 156,line 157, and main control switch 145.

After the coke begins to flow into the hopper 14, the scale indicatorhand 23 of Fig. 3 rotates clockwise with respect to the follower member72 of Fig. 4, the contacts of micro switch 110 open, and the microswitch relay 146 is deenergized or drops out. After the car operator hasdrawn the proper weight of coke, as indicated by the scale indicatorhand aligned with the proper indicia on scale face 24, he pushes therecord push button 166 to make a record of this fact. Push button 166 isshown in its normal position in Fig. 10 with contacts 166a closed by thecross bar and the contacts 166k open. The normally open contacts 166k onthe push button 166 are closed and the totalizer motor relay or motorcontactor 167 is energized. An electrical circuit is completed from themain control switch 145 through line 147, line 148, contacts 166]) (nowclosed but normally open), line 168, line 169, motor relay or contactor167, line 170, line 154, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The normallyopen contact 167a is closed when the motor relay or contactor 167 isenergized. Thiscloses the totalizer motor circuit and the motor 40starts. The electrical circuit is completed from the main control switch145 through the line 147, line 148, closed contact 1670, line 172, motor40, line 173, line 174, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The normallyopen interlock for contact 16% of the motor relay or contactor 167 formsa maintaining circuit to keep motor 40 energized after release of therecord push button 166. This maintaining circuit from the main controlswitch 145 is along the line 147, line 148, closed contact 167b, line175, normally closed contact 1461; of deenergized micro switch relay146, line 176, line 169, motor relay or contactor 167, line 170, line154, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The motor 40 drives the followermember 72 and the micro switch 110 thereon along with the coke counteror totalizer 28 until the contacts of the micro switch are closedby'engagement with the tripper 111. Then, the follower member 72 and thescale indicator hand 23 are in registration, and the follower member 72has moved the same angular distance as'scale indicator hand 23 when thehopper 14 was loaded with coke.

Closing of the contacts of micro switch 119 "by the tripper 111,deenergizes the motor 40 shown in Fig. and energizes the brake meansshown in Fig. 6. As the contacts of micro switch 110 :close, theyenergize the micro switch relay 146 by completing the electrical circuitfirst described in explaining the control circuits.

10 The micro switch relay 146, when it is energized, opens the normallyclosed contact 1461;. This operation opens the circuit to the motorcontactor relay 167 since the normally closed contact 1461) was in themaintaining circuit for this motor relay. Deenergizing motor relay 167opens contact 167a which in turn opens the electrical circuit todeenergize the motor 40. It should be noted that the motor 40 is of theintermittent driving type since it only drives during operation of thetotalizer and rotation of the follower member or arm 72. The motor andbrake control means, specifically here shown as micro switch 110, on thefollower member coacts with the scale indicator 23 and the tripper 111only at the beginning and end of the movement of the follower member 72for controlling the extent of movement of the selected counter so thatthescale mechanism is never subjected to any drag by the control meansand the rest of the scale totalizer mechanism and so that the extent ofmovement of the selected counter is always directly proportional to themovement of the scale indicator. The driving means (including the motor)move together the proper counter and the follower member 72 in responseto this control member or micro switch 116.

The brake means in Fig. 6 is also engaged or energized by the closing ofthe contacts in the micro switch at theend of the movement of thefollower member 72. Energization of the microswitch relay 146, byclosing of the contacts in the micro switch 110, closes the contact.1460 and energizes the brake solenoid so that the pawl 114 pivotscounterclockwise into engagement with the ratchet wheel 112 driven in aclockwise direction by the electric motor 411. The brake promptly stopsthe coke counter 28 and the clockwise rotation of the follower memberarm "72. The electrical circuit is completed from main control switchthrough line 147, line 178, closed contact 1460 (normally open), line179, ratchet solenoid 120 of the brake, line 180, line 174, line 155,line 156,. and line 157. The pawl remains engaged until the contacts ofmicro switch 110 are opened when the next charge component is put intothe hopper. There is no danger that follower arm 72 or the totalizerdrive will accidentally move with the brake engaged.

It should now be evident that the exact weight of coke dispensed intothe hopper 14 is added to the previous: total on totalizer 28 to show anew total weight of coke dispensed into hopper 14 and charged into theblast furnace since the last time the counter 28 was set back to zero.This completes the recording of the weight of coke put into the scalecar hopper 14. All succeeding hopper filling and weight totalizingoperations will be similar to that previously described. Each of thecomponents of the charge-coke, limestone and iron ore-is loaded into thehopper 14 and moves the scale indicator hand 23 a portion of the Wayacross scale face 24. The scale totalizer mechanism, with the aid offollower member 72, individually adds the weight of each component tothe proper, corresponding totalizer.

Means is also provided for emptying the hopper 14 and for moving thefollower member 72 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 4 until themicro switch 110 is positioned for coaction with the tripper 111 and thefollower member 72 is in registration with the scale indicator hand 23at the no-load or zero scale position. The specific dumping meansdisclosed herein comprises air-operated discharge gates on the hopper14. With the arm 159 of selector switch 158 in the dump position, theair solenoid valve 181 is energized and air will pass into the gateoperating cylinders (not shown) for operating the discharge gates. Anelectrical circuit from the main control switch 145 is completed throughline 147, line 148, line 149, line 162, selector arm 159, contact line182, line 183, solenoid air valve 181, line 156, and line 157. With theselector switch arm 159 in any other position, it is impossible to openthe discharge gates.

Means is also provided responsive to the discharge means or the airpressure for returning the follower member 72 to the zero position.Asair pressure is built up, the bar of the normally open pressureswitch, shown in normal open position in Fig. 10, moves upwardly andcloses contacts 184b while opening contacts 1840. This energizes therelease solenoid 127 which in turn releases the cone clutch in Fig. 3and allows the follower member 72 in Fig. 4 to rotate counterclockwiseback to its zero position against stop pin 139 in registration with thescale indicator 23 at the zero position. The electrical circuit iscompleted from the main control switch 145 through line 147, line 148,line 149, line 162, selector switch arm 159, contact 169p, line 182,line 1%, release solenoid 127, line 185, closed contacts 18412, and line157. After the gates are closed, the pressure switch drops back to itsnormal position.

The control circuit described up to this point is satis factory for astationary hopper wherein the different batch or charge components aremerely added to the hopper, each component individually totalized, and amovable car is not needed. If contacts 1411a and 141th are kept in theirclosed position, the power circuit may be added to the control circuitdescribed up to this point to make a satisfactory scale totalizermechanism and moving means for a scale car. However, other parts may beadded to the control circuit to provide a more desirable sequence ofoperation for a movable scale car.

The control circuit may have means for preventing the drum controller142 from moving the car unless the counter has registered the exactweight corresponding to the movement of the scale indicator hand 23(indicated by the alignment of the micro switch 110 with the tripper111) and from moving the car unless the scale car operator has moved theselector switch arm 159 to the next station. This latter will guaranteeagainst any human error in the manual selection by selector switch arm159. For example, the scale car operator might load several differentkinds of materials into the hopper 14 without moving the selector switcharm 159 to a different station corresponding to the other materials.This Part of the control circuit forces the operator to operate thetotalizer mechanism correctly. Otherwise, the scale car cannot be movedfrom one loading station to another loading station or to the dumpingstation. He cannot move the scale car after a dumping or after a loadingand totalizing operation until'the selector arm 159 has been moved tothe reset stationon contact 16hr and then the arm 159 is moved to anystation on selector switch 158 and preferably the station correspondingto the next operation, dumping or loading, to be performed.

The scale car cannot be moved unless the line relay 140 is energized andthe contacts 140a and 14131) are closed. The right hand side of Fig.also discloses that the contact 18712 of the reset relay 187 must beclosed if the line relay is to be energized since they are in series.Therefore, the reset relay 187 must also be energized if the car is tobe moved. The selector arm 159' of the selector switch 150 must be movedto the reset position or station to energize the reset relay 187. Then,an electrical circuit is completed from the main control switch 145through the line 147, line 148, line 149, line 162, selector switch arm159, contact 1661', line 188, line 189, reset relay 187, line 190, line153, line 154, line 155, line 156, and line 157. The selector arm 159must be set at the reset station to energize the reset relay 187.Energizing the reset relay 187 closes the contacts 187a and 1871').

A maintaining circuit is formed to keep the reset relay energized afterthe selector arm 159 is moved off of the reset contact 1601'. Thismaintaining circuit extends from the main control switch 145 throughline 147, line 148, line 149, contacts 166a of the record push button166 (contacts 166a normally closed), line 191, contacts 134a of airpressure switch 134 (contacts 184a normally closed).- line 192, closedcontact 187a (reset relay 187 is 12 energized), line 193, line 189,reset relay 187, line19tl, line 153, line 154, line 155, line 156, andline. 157.

Even with the reset relay 187 energized, the line relay 14-9 will notbecome energized until the selector switch arm 159 has been moved fromthe reset position into contact with one of the contacts 161, 161a, etc.in one of the loading positions or the dump position and until thecontacts of the micro switch are closed by the tripper member 111. Then,an electrical circuit is formed from the main control switch 145 throughthe line line 148, line 149, line 162, selector switch arm 159, one ofthe contacts in the 161 series, line 195, closed contact 146:: (normallyopen but closed when micro switch relay 146 is energized after thecontacts of the micro switch 110 are closed in the manner set forth bythe first circuit described in the description of the electrical diagramin Fig. 10), line 196, closed contact 137k (reset relay 187 isenergized), line 197, line relay or contactor 140, and line 198. Itshould now be clear that when the next station has been selected byselector switch arm 159, the power circuit is energized and the operatormay move the car to the next station, either a dumping or a loadingstation.

When the scale car operator pushes the record push button 166 tototalize the weight added to the hopper and consequently opens thecontacts 166a or when the hopper load is dumped and the air pressureswitch opens the contacts 184a, the maintaining circuit, previouslydescribed, for keeping reset relay 187 energized is broken and cannot beformed again until the selector switch arm 159 has been moved to thereset position. Since contact 13712 opens on deenergization of the resetrelay .187, the line relay or contactor is also deenergized and the carcannot be moved. Hence, the scale car operator must always move theselector switch arm 159 to the reset position after each loading andtotalizing operation or dumping operation before he can move the scalecar. Contacts 166a of the record push button 166are opened during thetotalizing operation while contacts 184:: of air pressure switch 184 areopened during the dumping operation.

As previously mentioned, the line relay or contactor 140 cannot beenergized unless the contacts are closed in micro switch 110. They areclosed when follower member 72 is in registration with the scaleindicator 23. Hence, the car operator cannot move the car afterdispensing material into the hopper unless he has pushed the record pushbutton 166 and totalized the proper weight. For the same reason, he mustfully dump the load at the dumping station. If he partially clumps theload, the contacts in micro switch 116 will not be closed and he cannotmove the car.

Various changes in details and arrangement of parts can be made by oneskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this inventionor the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a pluralityof spaced apart containers for storing material, a scale car movablebetween stations corresponding to said containers, said scale car havinga material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected tosaid hopper with a scale indicator member for indicating the totalweight of said hopper and its contents, each container being adapted todispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scalecar is located at the station corresponding to said container, aplurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each containerand station unit, a motion transmitting means, means for selectivelyconnecting the motion transmitting means to one of said counters, acontrol means for energizingthe motion transmitting means until theselected counter registers in response to the position of said scaleindicator member an amount equivalent to the weight of materialdispensed into the 2. In a system, as set forth in claim 1, said controlmeans including position responsive means on one of said memberscoacting with said other member for controlling the extent of movementof said selected counter so that the extent is always directlyproportional to the movement of said scale indicator member and forpreventing said car moving means from moving said car unless saidcounter has registered the exact deflection of said scale indicatormember.

3. In a system, as set forth in claim 1, means for discharging theentire load of material from said hopper, and means responsive to saiddischarge means for returning said follower member into registrationwith said scale indicator member at the hopper-empty-no-load position,said control means including position responsive means on one of saidmembers coacting with the other of said members when said followermember and scale indicator member are in registration for controllingthe extent of movement of said selected counter so that the extent isalways directly proportional to the movement of said scale indicatormember and for preventing said car moving means from moving said carunless said counter has registered the exact deflection of said scaleindicator member or unless said hopper has discharged its entire loadand said follower member and scale indicator member are in registry atsaid hopper-empty-noload position.

4. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a pluralityof spaced apart containers for storing material, a scale car movablebetween stations corresponding to said containers, said scale car havinga material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected tosaid hopper with a scale indicatormember for indicating the total weightof said hopper and its contents, each container being adapted todispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scalecar is located at the station corresponding to said container, aplurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each containerand station unit, a motion transmitting means, a manual selector meanshaving a plurality of stations, one station for each totalizing counter,means for drivingly connecting the motion transmitting means and acounter when the selector means is set at the corresponding station, afollower member connected to the motion transmitting means, whichfollower member is registrable with said indicator member and movable ina path parallel to the path of said indicator member, positionresponsive means carried by one of said members and coacting with theother of said members during registration, means responsive to aregistration of said other member and position responsive means forholding said follower member as said indicator member moves away, meansfor moving said car between said stations, and means for preventing saidcar moving means from moving said car unless said position responsivemeans is coacting with said other member.

5. In a system, as set forth in claim 4, a reset station on saidselector means, and means coacting with said reset station and any oneof said selector means counter stations for preventing said car movingmeans from moving said car unless said selector means has been movedfrom said one counter station to the reset station and then to a counterstation.

6. In a material handling system providing weight registering, a hopper;a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicatormember for indicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents;a weight registering device; and a mechanism including a motiontransmitting means and including a control means for energizing themotion transmitting means until the weight registering device registersin response to the position of said indicator member an amountequivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper; saidcontrol means including a follower member registrable with saidindicator member and movable in a path parallel to the path of saidindicator member, including means for holding said follower member assaid indicator member moves 'away from a first registered position inresponse to the weight of a material dispensed into said hopper, andincluding means for energizing said motion transmitting means and formoving together the weight registering device and follower member withthe latter moving along its path until a second registration with saidindicator member takes place with the extent of movement controlled by aposition responsive means on one of said members coacting with the otherof said members only during registration.

7. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting meansincluding a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member andsaid weight registering device but deenergized by said positionresponsive means upon said second registration, said control meansincluding brake means for stopping said rotative drive in response toactuation of said control means and including rotational energyabsorbing means for absorbing the rotational inertia in the drive bypermitting overtravel and then returning the drive upon deenergizationof the motor back against a positive stop to provide accuracy in saidweight registering device.

8. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting meansincluding a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member andsaid weight registering device, said control means including brake meansfor stopping said rotative drive in response to actuation of saidcontrol means, said mechanism including slip clutch means between saidmotor and brake means so that the brake means does not have to stop theinertia of said motor.

9. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting meansincluding a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member andsaid device, said mechanism including a clutch between said motor andsaid follower member so that said follower member can move back towardthe hopper-empty-no-load position independently of motor rotation.

10. In the system set forth in claim 9, wherein said clutch has annularengagement surfaces to permit the driving of said follower by said motorat hopper-emptyno-load position by clutch reengagement without movementof said motor.

11. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting meansincluding a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member andsaid device, said mech anism including means operable independently ofmotor rotation for moving the follower member back to ahopper-empty-no-load position against a positive stop by disengagementof the drive therebetween and for subsequently reengaging said drivebetween said motor and follower member for moving them together again,said last mentioned means including a clutch between said motor and saidfollower member and including a torsion spring to provide the returnmovement.

12. In the system set forth in claim 11-, wherein said clutch hasannular engagement surfaces on coaxial members to permit clutchreengagement at said no-load position without return movement of saidmotor.

13. In a system, as set forth in claim 6, said motion transmitting meansincluding a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member andsaid device, said mechanism including means operable independently ofmotor rotation for moving the follower member back to ahopper-empty-no-load position against a positive stop by disengagementof the drive therebetween and for subsequently reengaging said drivebetween said motor and follower member for moving them together again,said last mentioned means including a clutch between said motor and saidfollower member .and including a torsion spring to provide thereturnmovement, resilient means being provided in the drive between saidfollower memher and clutch to cushion .the impact against said stop.

14. In a material handling system, asset forth in claim 13, wherein saidresilient means is stronger than .and opposes said torsion spring so asto position said follower member for positive driving .action .by saidmotor in equilibrium position.

15. In a system, as setforth in:claim 6, said motion transmitting meansincluding a driving motor rotatively driving said follower member andsaiddevice, said mechanism comprising. means for movingthefollower'member back to the hopper-empty-no-load position against apositive stop independent of motor rotation including a clutch in thedrive between said motor and said follower member and including atorsion spring to provide the return movement, the drive between saidfollower member and clutch including an elongated arcuate slot portionand key portion coacting together .to' permit relative movement betweensaid follower member and clutch, and resilient means urging said keyportion and one end of said slot together with said portions adapted toseparate upon stop impact so that said resilient means will cushion saidimpact, said resilient means being stronger than and opposing saidtorsion spring so that said clutch and. follower member will bepositioned for positive drive after equilibrium is reached.

16. In a material handling-system having weight totalizers, a hopper, ascale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator memberfor indicating the total weight of said hopper audits contents, aplurality of containers, each container being adapted to store and todispense any desired weight of material into said hopper, a plurality ofweight totalizing counters, .one counter for each container, a motiontransmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motiontransmitting means to one of said counters, and a control means forenergizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counterregisters in response to the position of said scale indicator member anamount equivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopperfrom the container; said control means including a follower memberregistrable with said indicator memberand movable in a.

path parallel to the path of said indicator member, :i11- cluding meansfor holding said follower member as said indicator member moves .awayfrom. a first registered position in response to the weight ofa'material dispensed into said hopper, and including means forenergizing said motion transmitting means and for'moving together thecounter corresponding toasaid material and said ,follower member withthe latter moving along its path until a second registration with saidindicatormember takes place with the extent of movement controlled by aposition responsive means on one of said members coacting with the otherof said members only during registration.

17. In a system, as set forth in claim 16, said control means includingbrake means responsive to said posi tion responsive means for stoppingsaid rotative drive in response to actuation of said'position responsivemeans and for holding said follower member until said indicator membermoves away from said second registered position in response to theweight of a second material being dispensed into said hopper.

18. In the system set forth in claim 17, wherein said positionresponsive means is an electrical switch carried by said ollower member.

19. in system, as set forth in claim 16, said control means includin.means for holding said follower member as said indicator member movesaway from said second registered position in response to the weight of asecond material dispensedinto said hopper, and including means forenergizing saidmotion transmitting means and for movingtogether-thecountercorresponding to the second material and saidfollower member with tent of movement controlled by said positionresponsive means.

20. In-thesystem set forth in, claim 19, wherein said positionresponsive means is an electrical switch carried by said followermember.

21. In a system as set forth in claim 16, means for emptyingsaid hopperafter .the weight .of said other material has been totalizedand movingsaid follower memher until said position responsive means coacts withsaid other member at the hopper-empty-no-load position.

22. In a material handlingsystem having weight totalizers, a pluralityof spaced. apart containers for storing materials, a scale carmovablebetween stations corresponding to said containers,.said scale car havinga material receiving hopper and having a scale operatively connected to.said'hopper with a .scale indicator for indicating the total weight ofsaid hopper and its contents, each container beingadapted to vdispenseany desired weight of'material into said hopper when said scale .car islocated, at the station'corresponding ,to said container, a pluralityofweight totalizing counters, one counter for each assembly including acorresponding container and station, a motion transmitting means, meansfor selectivelyconnecting the motion transmitting means to one of saidcounters, a control means for energizing the motion transmitting meansuntil the selected counter registers in response to the;position,of,said scale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of materialdispensed into the hopper from the container, at least one of saidaforementionedmeans including means for. actuating a position responsiveunit having actuated and idle positions, means for moving said-scale carbetween said stations, and means responsive to the idle position of saidunit for preventing said last means from moving said car unless saidcounter has registered the exact weight corresponding to the movementofsaid scale indicator.

23. In the system set forth in claim 22, wherein said unit is a controlswitch.

24. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a pluralityof spaced apart containers for storing materials, a scale carmovablebetween stations corresponding to said containers, said scale carhaving a material receiving hopper and having a scale operativelyconnected to said hopper .witha scale indicator memher for indicatingthe total weight of said hopper and its contents,-each container beingadapted to store and to dispense any desired weight of material intosaid hopper when said scale car is located at the station correspondingto said container, a plurality of weight totalizing counters, onecounter for each container and station unit, a motion transmittingmeans,- means for selectively connecting the motion transmitting meanstoone of said counters,

.a control means for energizing the motion transmitting means until theselected counter registers in response to the position of said scaleindicator member. an amount equivalent to the weight of materialdispensed into the hopper from the container, said control meansincluding a follower member movable in a path parallel to the path ofsaid indicator for controlling with said indicator the energization ofsaid motion transmitting means, means responsive to at least partialemptying of said hopper for moving said follower member back to thehopperempty-no-load position, means .for moving said. scale car betweensaid stations, and means responsive to the presenCe of said scaleindicator member at saidno-load position for preventing said last meansfrom moving said car unless said hopper has been fully dumped with saidscale indicator member and follower member in registration at saidhopper-empty-uo-load position.

25. In the system set forthin clairn'24, wherein said last-mentionedmeans includes a control switch coacting with a tripper with one carriedby said scale indicator member and the other carried by said followermember.

In a material handling system, as set forth in claim 17 24, wherein saidlastmentioned means includes a sensing means on one of said membersresponsive to the other of said members for detecting registrationbetween said members.

27. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a pluralityof spaced apart containers for storing material, a scale car movablebetween stations corresponding to said containers and a hopper loaddischarge station, said scale car having a material receiving hopper andhaving a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scaleindicator for indicating the total weight of said hopper and itscontents, each container being adapted to dispense any desired weight ofmaterial into said hopper when said scale car is located at the stationcorresponding to said container, a plurality of weight totalizingcounters, one counter for each container and station unit, a motiontransmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motiontransmitting means to one of said counters, a control means forenergizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counterregisters in response to the position of said scale indicator an amountequivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from thecontainer, means for moving said scale car between said stations, saidhopper having a means for discharging its entire load of material, meansresponsive to said last-mentioned means for returning said control meansinto operative association with said scale indicator at thehop'per-empty-no-load position, and means responsive to the presence ofsaid scale indicator at said no-load position for preventing said carmoving means from moving said car unless said counter has registered theexact weight corresponding to the movement of said scale indicator orsaid load has been completely dumped.

28. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a pluralityof spaced apart containers for storing material; a scale car movablebetween stations corresponding to said containers; sai-d scale carhaving a material receiving hopper and having a scale operativelyconnected to said hopper with a scale indicator for indicating the totalweight of said hopper and its contents; each container being adapted todispense any desired weight of material into said hopper when said scalecar is located at the station corresponding to said container; aplurality of weight totalizing counters, one counter for each containerand station unit; manually selectable mechanism, having a manuallymovable portion for selecting a counter corersponding to a givencontainer, for moving a selected'totalizing counter a distancecorresponding to the weight dispensed from the corresponding container;said mechanism including a motion transmitting means, means forselectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of saidcounters, and a control means for energizing the motion transmittingmeans until the selected counter registers in response to the positionof said scale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of materialdispensed into the hopper from the container; means for moving saidscale car between said stations; and means for preventing said lastmeans from moving said car unless said counter has registered the exactweight corresponding to the movement of said scale indicator and thescale car operator has moved said manually movable portion of saidmanually selectable mechanism away from one station and into positionfor use at any one of said stations.

29. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a hopper, ascale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator forindicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents in one loadand for returning to zero position upon dumping said contents inpreparation for receiving the following load, a plurality of containers,each container being adapted to store and to dispense any desired weightof material into said hopper, a plurality of weight totalizing counters,one counter for each container, and mechanism for to- 18 talizing on onecounter the weight of one material fed from one container into saidhopper and for totalizing on another counter the weight of anothermaterial fed from another container into said hopper containing said onematerial; said mechanism including a motion transmitting means, meansfor selectively connecting the motion transmitting means to one of saidcounters and a control means for energizing the motion transmittingmeansuntil the selected counter registers in response to the position of saidscale indicator an amount equivalent to the weight of material dispensedinto the hopper from the container; said control means including afollower member movable in a path parallel to the path of saidindicator, said mechanism including a non-reversible driving motor insaid motion transmitting means rotating in always the same directionduring the period from the beginning of dispensing one load into saidhopper to the beginning of dispensing the following load into saidhopper and rotatively driving said follower member and the appropriatecounter so that the material weights are always accurately totalized onthe counters.

30. In a material handling system having weight totalizers, a hopper, ascale operatively connected to said hopper with a scale indicator forindicating the total weight of said hopper and its contents, a pluralityof containers, each container being adapted to store and to dispense anydesired weight of material into said hopper, a plurality of weighttotalizing counters, one counter for each container, and mechanism fortotalizing on one counter the weight of one material fed from onecontainer into said hopper and for totalizing on another counter theweight of another material fed from another container into said hoppercontaining said one material; said mechanism including a motiontransmitting means, means for selectively connecting the motiontransmitting means to one of said counters, and a control means forenergizing the motion transmitting means until the selected counterregisters in response to the position of said scale indicator an amountequivalent to the weight of material dispensed into the hopper from thecontainer; said control means including a follower means movable in apath parallel to the path of said indicator, said mechanism including insaid motion transmitting means a driving motor rotatively driving saidfollower member and counter, said mechanism including a disengageableclutch in the drive between said motor and said follower and counters sothat said follower may return back toward the hopper-empty-no-loadposition without rotation of said motor and said counters.

31. In a material handling system providing weight registering, ahopper, a scale operatively connected to said hopper with a scaleindicator member for indicating the total weight of said hopper and itscontents; a weight registering device; a motion transmitting means; acontrol means for energizing the motion transmitting means until theweight registering device registers in response to the position of saidindicator member an amount equivalent to the weight of materialdispensed into the hopper; said control means including a followermember registrable with said indicator member and movable in a pathparallel to the path of said indicator member, including means forholding said follower member as said indicator member moves away from afirst registered position in response to the weight of materialdispensed into said hopper, and including a position responsive means onone of said members; said motion transmitting means including anelectric motor for moving together the weight registering device andsaid follower member with the latter moving along its path until asecond registration takes place with the extent of movement controlledby a position responsive means on said one member coacting with theother of said members only during registration; and means responsive toemptying of said hopper for moving said follower member back toward thehopper-empty-no-load position'withou't movement of said weightregistering device or motor. V a

32. In a material handling "system having weight 'totalizers,a'plurality of spacedapart containers "forstoring materials; a scale carmovable 'between'stations corresponding to said containers; said'scale"car "having a material receiving hopper and 'having a s'caleoperatively connected to said hopper with 'a'sc'aleindi'c'at'or memberfor indicating the total Weight of said hopper and "its contents; each'containe'r being adapted 'to store and to dispense any desired weightof material into said hopper when said scale 'car'is located 'atth'estation corresponding to said container; a plurality of weighttotalizing counters, one counter for'ea'ch container and stationunit;

'a motion transmitting means; means forselectively connecting the motiontransmitting means to one of said eounter'sj'acontr'olmeansfofener'gizin'g'the motion transmittingmea'nsnntil the'sele'ct'edcounter registers in re sponse'to'the'position of said scale'indi cato'rmember an "of said indicator member, including means for holding saidfollower member as said indicator member moves away from a firs'tregistered position in responseto the weight of afirst materialdispensed into said hopper, and including manually initiated means forenergizing "said motion transmitting means an'd'for moving together thecounter corresponding to the first material and said fol- 20 lowermember with-the latter moving along its path until as'econd registrationwith said indicator "member takes placewith -t'he extent'of=mov'ementcontrolled by a position responsive means on one of saidmembers coacting'with'the 'otherof said members only during registration; means for"moving 'said scale car between said stations; 'andme'ans responsive tosaid position responsive means for preventing said last 'means frommoving said car 'aftermate'rial isdispensed into said hopper unlessmanual initiation of follower member and counter movement has o'ccurredand 'saidcounter has registered the exact weightcorresponding to' themovement of said scale indicator member.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNiT-EDSTATES PATENTS 1,066,656 Richardson July 8, 1913 1,163,678 'Messiter Dec. 14, 19151,893,243 :Rees Jan. 3, 1933 1,909,724 :Schellentrager May 16, 19332,083,783 Haegele June 15, 1937 .'2-,'172 6'l'8 Kuppe'nbender et'al.Sept. 12, 1939 2,189,802 Karlsson-Yg'ger Feb. 13, 1 940 2,610,843Schellentrager "Sept. 16, 1952 2,614,786 Caron Oct. 21, 1952 FOREIGNPATENTS #56550 Great Britain Nov. 17, 1936

